HM Sultan Brunei Graces Brunei's Family Day 2017 Celebrations

IT WAS a family-friendly atmosphere in the Brunei capital yesterday, as huge crowds gathered to participate in the Family Harmony Recreation and Cycling event in conjunction with celebrations for the 6th National Family Day 2017.

The day was made even more special with the participation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who led the group of cyclists in the 12km route which began at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.

Also taking part in the cycling event were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; and Dr Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Fattaah.

The 12km event was launched at around 7.30am, with the release of 20 balloons.Also taking part were Cabinet Ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries, and invited guests.

After circling Bandar Seri Begawan in the 12km route, His Majesty watched several families taking part in a cycling parade in group formations.

His Majesty also consented to sign an appreciation board, tour booths and exhibits set up for the Family Harmony Recreation event, while mingling with members of the public.

The day was further enlivened with fun activities of balloon-blowing, a bird show and a coconut bowling contest hosted by several mukim and village consultative councils. There was also participation from local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), together with private agencies such as Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB), promoting family-themed products.

This year’s celebrations, under the theme ‘Keluargaku Penyayang, Negara Gemilang’, is aimed at promoting national unity by combining aspects of a healthy lifestyle and leisure for all families to enjoy.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Health, with various government and private agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs).

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…